I have a 6 year old quarter horse. About 6 months ago I started feeding Omalene 200. His weight is very good but his hoofs have quit growing. Farrier came out to reshoe after 8 weeks and had to put nails almost back in same holes. Front feet were worse than rear. He cannot go unshod because he has white feet and they wear down real bad ( he paws a lot). Hoofs are not unhealthy looking or crumbling. They just don't grow. He has free range on very good pastures, has free salt and minerals and is fed daily.

What is a good supplement for him? Would high doses of biotin help? Regular suppliments take a long time to get started. I am afraid that if I don't start his hoof growing soon I will have a lame horse. He is rode several times a week so he gets plenty of exercise.

Left Hand Percherons

04-03-2011 03:26 PM

It's typical for hoof growth to slow down in the winter as well as in arid climates. As long as his shoes are solid and his angles are good, push it out a few more weeks. It sounds like his front shoeing is better than his hind. It's a misconception that a dark hoof is stronger and more durable than a white one. The composition of the hooves are identical other than the white one lack pigmentation. If you look at a cross section of a dark hoof, the inner 1/3 is unpigmented as well. If white hoofs are weaker was true, the hoof wall would sheer where the 2 meet.